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Khawaja close to ton, Queensland on top in Shield

David Beniuk

An unbeaten 88 from former Test batsman Usman Khawaja has helped Queensland to first innings points in the Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania at Bellerive.

Khawaja has notched his fourth Shield half-century of the season, helping the Bulls to 3-163 at tea on day two in reply to the home side’s paltry 95.

The 25-year-old former New South Welshman smacked 15 fours and a six in a 107-ball knock that will have his name back in front of national selectors.

Joe Burns was with Khawaja on 14 not out as the Bulls’ batsmen tamed a pitch that had resembled a minefield when Tasmania were skittled in less than two hours on Saturday morning.

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Khawaja shared an 84-run partnership with Peter Forrest (25) before the former Australian one-day batsman was caught behind for 25, the pair helping Queensland recover from 2-30.

Wade Townsend had made four before he was caught behind and Alex Kemp was 25 when he was bowled not offering a shot.

Luke Butterworth (1-33), Jackson Bird (1-54) and James Faulkner (1-26) had a wicket each for the Tigers.Tasmania’s first innings lasted just 25.1 overs as Queensland quicks Luke Feldman (4-33) and Ben Cutting (4-25) ripped through the home side.

Ex-Queensland opener Ben Dunk top scored with 22 off just 24 deliveries as the ball zipped around and another low-scoring Hobart Shield match looked on the cards.

The seam-friendly Bellerive strip had copped a pasting from South Australia coach Darren Berry after the 200-mark was passed once in the four innings of last week’s Redbacks’ win.

Only Alex Doolan (16), skipper George Bailey (11) and Tim Paine (10) joined Dunk in reaching double figures as the Tasmanians’ tactic of going for their shots came unstuck.